Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life among Overweight and Obese Adults

Abstract

PURPOSE: Since overweight (25 < BMI < 30) and obesity (BMI > 30 Kg/M2) is associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) while regular physical activity (PA) is associated with higher levels of HRQOL, we sought to examine the relationship between PA and HRQOL among overweight (Ow) and obese (Ob) persons. METHODS: Using data from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, we examined the independent relationship between recommended levels of moderate or vigorous PA and four measures of HRQOL developed by the CDC among 173,968 adults aged 18 years or older with Ow or Ob. Multivariable logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, sex, education, smoking status, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. RESULTS: The age standardized prevalence of Ow and Ob among US adults in 2005 was 37% and 25%, respectively. The proportion of adults with Ow and Ob reporting 14 or more unhealthy days (physical or mental) was significantly lower among those who attained recommended levels of physical activity than physically inactive adults for all age, racial/ethnic, and sex groups. After multivariable adjustment, the relative odds of 14 or more unhealthy days (physical or mental) in those with the recommended level of physical activity compared to physically inactive adults aged 18–44 years was 0.63 (95% CI: 0.52, 0.77) among Ow and 0.53 (95% CI: 0.44-0.63) among Ob; for adults aged 45–64 years, 0.34 (95% CI: 0.29, 0.39) among Ow and 0.40 (95% CI: 0.35-0.46) among Ob; for adults aged 65 years or older 0.38 (95% CI: 0.38, 0.45) among Ow and 0.40 (95% CI: 0.33-0.50) among Ob. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in regular PA is one of several lifestyle strategies available to promote health. These results highlight the HRQOL role that regular physical activity can have among Ow and Ob persons in spite of their excess body weight.